After my Trade Union business on Thursday I decided to stay in the city for an evening meal to save the bother of cooking when I got home.  I ended up in The Old Joint Stock, a Fuller’s Ale and Pie House.

The grade two listed building, built in 1864 was originally a library before it became the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank, Lloyd’s Bank then took the building over in 1889 the very same year that Birmingham received City status.

Designed by local architect Julius Alfred Chatwin, best known as the builder of many Victorian Gothic churches including part of St Philip’s Cathedral situated right opposite The Old Joint Stock.

The glass domed ceiling is magnificent, but there was no point trying to take a photo without a tripod, which even I couldn’t rustle up from my handbag.  The pub has an island bar and even it’s own 80 seat theatre, which is located on the second floor.  The menu was extensive and although I was extremely tempted by the pies and the fish and chips ,  I remembered my diet so  I opted for lemon and ginger cod on mashed potato with peas but I did allow myself a glass of wine ;-)

Although I wasn’t able to get photographs inside the pub, I did manage to capture this photo of  St Philip’s Cathedral.

Cathedral at Night

24 Comments CherryPie on Jan 23rd 2010

24 Responses to “The Old Joint Stock”

  1. It sounds a good place to visit, especially if you are in need of comfort food. Love that shot.

  2. Phidelm says:

    What great scope in this post, Cherie. Fan of the pub-theatre combination, and am pleased you enjoyed your well-deserved meal out (even if chipless). Used to travel to Brum frequently on business 20-ish years ago, but never saw anything of the city – so delighted by the gorgeous shot of the Cathedral (+ Wiki link). And the poem by Maura Dooley is lovely, too. Merci :-) !

    • CherryPie says:

      I thought it was a fascinating idea and I am sure I will be back in the future.

      The poem makes me smile and it made me think of doing the meme that I put underneath :-)

  3. jameshigham says:

    Strange – I always thought you carried your foldable tripod with you. You must have steady hands then.

    • CherryPie says:

      I should have taken one with me as I was intending to take photos. I was just so loaded down with papers I didn’t want my bag to get too heavy.

  4. Claudia says:

    Such a practical handbag! The menu makes me hungry:great English food choices. Fantastic photo. Glad you had a lovely outing, Cherie.

  5. mutley says:

    I would deffo have had pie – not fish.

  6. Marcie says:

    Such gorgeous color and light!! Thanks for your sweet and supportive comments over at Shutter Sisters. Will look forward to seein’ you around!!!

  7. What a wonderful photo Cherie!

  8. Ellee says:

    We don’t have ale and pie pubs in my area, it would be great if they opened up here.
    I love the photo too.

  9. I never knew Brum had so many beautiful places to visit…..must think about a trip there to dig deeper and investigate beyong the RAC building I used to pass every day…..I also do a fantastic Barry from Aufweidersein Pet impersonation so I may be accepted as one of their kind and not shot as Welshman who has strayed beyond the borders of Monmouthshire in his quest to pillage and thieve from the good and kind folk of Brum (I did that in a pirate’s accent for some unknown reason) :)

    • CherryPie says:

      I am only just beginning to discover them for myself. I know there are some hidden gems I still have to get to.

      Let me know if plan a trip (is that a pirate trip ;-) ) Maybe I could meet you in the city and we could explore together!

  10. Indeed CherryPie an Indiana Jones style expedition of Brum we shall undertake!!!

  11. Tamar Delgato says:

    Fascinating, thank you! I spent my childhood in Yorkshire in the UK, and I’ve been trying to find a recipe for this delicious pie I remember eating all the time, but can’t remember what we called it!!! Do you know a famous pie recipe from Yorkshire?